Running the race from coast to coast

CDCR Correctional Lieutenant to participate in Boston Marathon

By Dana Toyama, Information Officer I | OPEC

Two years ago, Correctional Lieutenant Art Gonzales in the Office of Policy Standardization promised himself that he would qualify and race in the prestigious Boston Marathon. His dream is about to come true.

In December 2010, Gonzales qualified when he ran 26.2 miles at the California International Marathon in three hours and 16 minutes. At the time, the 2011 Boston Marathon was full, but Gonzales didn’t give up the dream and continued to train for the 2012 event.

Last August, Gonzales represented CDCR in the 2011 World Police and Fire Games in New York, which featured peace officers and firefighters from around the world competing in such events as 5- and 10-kilometer runs, swimming, rifle, volleyball, basketball and more. Gonzales took the silver medal in his cross-country event.

Gonzales began by running 5-kilometer races, moved up to 10 kilometers, then half-marathons. His appearance in the Boston Marathon will be his third full marathon event. Gonzales began running when he started working at CDCR headquarters, and his healthy habit has spread across his office.

“The camaraderie is great, and we help push each other to achieve our goals,” Gonzales said. “Once I started running, I inspired several co-workers to start running and now have a total of six runners with me, and the group is growing.”

Each of Gonzales’ CDCR runners has run half-marathons, and three ran their first marathon last year. Soon, Boston may have even more representatives from CDCR.

Check back for next week’s Inside CDCR newsletter for an update on Gonzales’ Boston Marathon.